4 days to spend on CA coast outside of San Francisco...where to go?
Jun 26th, 2009, 06:54 PM
#21
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Thanks everyone! There is so much great info here, I'm keeping it filed away for future trips. It's so tough deciding when you only have a few days. The good news is that our trip shapes up like this:
3 days at a friend's near Oakland - 4 days off on our own exploring - 3 more days back at another friend's place in Berkely! So no red-eye right after our trip, A's mom! (and yep, we've got SF pretty much covered.) We have given ourselves Tue, Wed, and Thur nights to spend on our own, but the car doesn't have to be returned until Saturday morning...and we've planned to return to our friend's house on Friday evening. So we really do have 4 full days to play.
Thanks for the info re: Yosemite. I have previously visited Yellowstone, and although it was incredible, I was in bumper-to-bumper traffic (in my little 2-door chevy) with a "herd" of RVs! It was exactly as you described - the 1 scenic drive route, and parking lots / pull-over spots every 1/4 mile indeed. So it's nice to know that at Yosemite I could literally hike away from the crowd, which is what I'd prefer to do. Waiting to hear back from our ranger friend to see what she says about staying with her...such a tough decision either way. If we don't go there now, we'll definitely have to go someday.
As for the loops you mentioned, I think my boyfriend (who rarely weighs in on these things) is inclined to head up north. Since I've already been to the Half Moon Bay / Pescadero area myself, I'd be fine exploring north. I had been leaning toward BIG SUR, but after doing some research it seems that several of the trails are still closed due to last years fires...and they were the trails I was most interested in hiking - such a shame, those terrible fires.
I like your northern loop idea very much, and Supercilious - thanks for the tip on the overcast conditions by the coast...I think that sways me toward definitely spending part of our trip inland.
I had thought something like this: (but now want to consider your Russian River idea!)
Day 1 - drive up to Mendocino...possible stops along the way - Muir Woods, Pt. Reyes...if time, Jug Handle Reserve in Mendocino...dinner, stay overnight in Ft Bragg (cheaper!)
Day 2 - horseback riding that morning on the beach in Cleone, just north of Ft. Bragg...some more exploring, (Russian Gulch?) lunch, and then head on up to Garberville (2 hours away) to stay overnight at Miranda Gardens
Day 3 - Humboldt County Redwood State Park, hiking/exploring towns/whatever...stay over one more night at Miranda
Day 4 - leisurely drive back to SF, maybe stopping along the way in Sonoma? We don't have to be back in the city until evening.
We could stay either 2 nights in the Ft. Bragg area or 2 nights in Humboldt - not sure which area would interest us more / offer more to do. Both places have plenty of hotel availability as of tonight anyway.
Spending time on the Russian River sounds good to me as well...really my only reason for checking out the Mendocino / Ft Bragg area is because we have a tradition of always drinking champagne on every full moon (I know, I know...
and we will be there over the next full moon...I thought it would be nice to see it over the Pacific Ocean, and Mendocino seemed like a good mid-way (a little more than mid-way, but close-enough) stopping point along the way to the Humboldt Redwoods.
Is much to do/see in the Mendocino / Ft. Bragg area? Horseback riding sounded good and I did see a number of state parks in the area that might be interesting.
I had really hoped to see the Ano Nuevo reserve that you mentioned earlier, but if there are seals along the way of this northern loop (bodega bay, mendocino...) I might get my fix. (although Sunbum, you've totally tempted me with your Capitola / kayaking in MB / see otters and seals story...ahhh!)
Off to investigate the Russian River and surrounding towns. GRASSHOPPER - thanks for the tip on redwoods in Guerneville...that will come in handy if I end up changing my plan (which I've been known to do!). The Russian River wineries might be a nice stopping point on our way back to SF.
Thank you, everyone, for your help! It is greatly appreciated!
3 days at a friend's near Oakland - 4 days off on our own exploring - 3 more days back at another friend's place in Berkely! So no red-eye right after our trip, A's mom! (and yep, we've got SF pretty much covered.) We have given ourselves Tue, Wed, and Thur nights to spend on our own, but the car doesn't have to be returned until Saturday morning...and we've planned to return to our friend's house on Friday evening. So we really do have 4 full days to play.
Thanks for the info re: Yosemite. I have previously visited Yellowstone, and although it was incredible, I was in bumper-to-bumper traffic (in my little 2-door chevy) with a "herd" of RVs! It was exactly as you described - the 1 scenic drive route, and parking lots / pull-over spots every 1/4 mile indeed. So it's nice to know that at Yosemite I could literally hike away from the crowd, which is what I'd prefer to do. Waiting to hear back from our ranger friend to see what she says about staying with her...such a tough decision either way. If we don't go there now, we'll definitely have to go someday.
As for the loops you mentioned, I think my boyfriend (who rarely weighs in on these things) is inclined to head up north. Since I've already been to the Half Moon Bay / Pescadero area myself, I'd be fine exploring north. I had been leaning toward BIG SUR, but after doing some research it seems that several of the trails are still closed due to last years fires...and they were the trails I was most interested in hiking - such a shame, those terrible fires.
I like your northern loop idea very much, and Supercilious - thanks for the tip on the overcast conditions by the coast...I think that sways me toward definitely spending part of our trip inland.
I had thought something like this: (but now want to consider your Russian River idea!)
Day 1 - drive up to Mendocino...possible stops along the way - Muir Woods, Pt. Reyes...if time, Jug Handle Reserve in Mendocino...dinner, stay overnight in Ft Bragg (cheaper!)
Day 2 - horseback riding that morning on the beach in Cleone, just north of Ft. Bragg...some more exploring, (Russian Gulch?) lunch, and then head on up to Garberville (2 hours away) to stay overnight at Miranda Gardens
Day 3 - Humboldt County Redwood State Park, hiking/exploring towns/whatever...stay over one more night at Miranda
Day 4 - leisurely drive back to SF, maybe stopping along the way in Sonoma? We don't have to be back in the city until evening.
We could stay either 2 nights in the Ft. Bragg area or 2 nights in Humboldt - not sure which area would interest us more / offer more to do. Both places have plenty of hotel availability as of tonight anyway.
Spending time on the Russian River sounds good to me as well...really my only reason for checking out the Mendocino / Ft Bragg area is because we have a tradition of always drinking champagne on every full moon (I know, I know...
and we will be there over the next full moon...I thought it would be nice to see it over the Pacific Ocean, and Mendocino seemed like a good mid-way (a little more than mid-way, but close-enough) stopping point along the way to the Humboldt Redwoods.Is much to do/see in the Mendocino / Ft. Bragg area? Horseback riding sounded good and I did see a number of state parks in the area that might be interesting.
I had really hoped to see the Ano Nuevo reserve that you mentioned earlier, but if there are seals along the way of this northern loop (bodega bay, mendocino...) I might get my fix.
(although Sunbum, you've totally tempted me with your Capitola / kayaking in MB / see otters and seals story...ahhh!)Off to investigate the Russian River and surrounding towns. GRASSHOPPER - thanks for the tip on redwoods in Guerneville...that will come in handy if I end up changing my plan (which I've been known to do!). The Russian River wineries might be a nice stopping point on our way back to SF.
Thank you, everyone, for your help! It is greatly appreciated!
Jun 26th, 2009, 07:09 PM
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ncsuchemist2002 - Just went back and re-read the posts - Yosemite not so crowded mid-week and Big Sur lovely but foggy? Great to know. I'm torn all over again! Guess the decision will depend on my friend and whether or not we can stay with her at ranger camp. Nice to hear it wasn't as bad as I'd feared, though, and glad you had a great time! How many days did you give yourself to do Yosemite and see Big Sur?
Alfredos_mom - forgot to mention I grew up outside of Philly - funny! Must be hard living there after CA. I find the east coast to be a lot more...um...intense than the west coast. (and I'm an east coaster, so I can say that.)
Guess the decision will depend on my friend and whether or not we can stay with her at ranger camp. Nice to hear it wasn't as bad as I'd feared, though, and glad you had a great time! How many days did you give yourself to do Yosemite and see Big Sur?Alfredos_mom - forgot to mention I grew up outside of Philly - funny! Must be hard living there after CA. I find the east coast to be a lot more...um...intense than the west coast. (and I'm an east coaster, so I can say that.)
Jun 26th, 2009, 07:59 PM
#23
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I do think Capitola is - captivating. I was only there for a day - but loved it.
If sea kayaking temps you- there are other places besides MB- I think there are caves around Santa Cruz to kayak in and around.
Going with a guide was a bit slow but good because she described what we were seeing,told us all about the animals we were seeing, little MB history etc- think we were on the water for 2 hours - cost $50. I do love the sea otters!
There is so much to do in that area-daughter lives in Willow Glen (San Jose ) so try to explore something new whenever I visit.
Enjoy-
If sea kayaking temps you- there are other places besides MB- I think there are caves around Santa Cruz to kayak in and around.
Going with a guide was a bit slow but good because she described what we were seeing,told us all about the animals we were seeing, little MB history etc- think we were on the water for 2 hours - cost $50. I do love the sea otters!
There is so much to do in that area-daughter lives in Willow Glen (San Jose ) so try to explore something new whenever I visit.
Enjoy-
Jun 30th, 2009, 07:47 PM
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Well.. it was foggy initially but it cleared up the farther south we went down US 1. It was beautiful, but you may not get as lucky as we did. Yosemite was busy but we just walked everywhere and we never got stuck in traffic. You can read my trip report here...http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...melbig-sur.cfm
Jun 30th, 2009, 08:51 PM
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friends just got back from Yosemite to hike half dome, dine at the Awahanee Lodge and they said they have never seen it so packed with people..too much so..not enjoyable at all!
Drive down the 1 to Santa Barbara and stay in Big Sur one night and then SB..meander up and the coast for 2 days down and 2 days up..
Or, take the 5 south to San Diego and spend 3 days in paradise!
Drive down the 1 to Santa Barbara and stay in Big Sur one night and then SB..meander up and the coast for 2 days down and 2 days up..
Or, take the 5 south to San Diego and spend 3 days in paradise!
Jul 1st, 2009, 03:48 PM
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I forgot to mention that I went in the middle of the week, so that might make a difference in the crowds you encounter.
If you've never been to Yosemite, and you think there's a pretty good chance you may not get back to CA, then definitely go.
If you've never been to Yosemite, and you think there's a pretty good chance you may not get back to CA, then definitely go.
Jul 1st, 2009, 07:30 PM
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Don't miss Pt. Reyes on this trip! The park is a wonder, the beach is quiet and spectacular. If you don't get there on your 4-days-on-your-own, it would be an easy day trip from either Oakland or Berkeley. In my younger days I stayed in the hostel right on the cliffs over beach in the park, very much worth sharing the lodging with others for this spectacular location, IMHO.
I once stayed in very cute cabins in the redwoods on the ocean side of HWY 1 in Big Sur. Also, there is a "fire road" across from the state park that takes you down to the (lovely) beach there with the classic surf coming through a key-hole in the rocks. Don't know if either of these are still available but they'd be worth checking out if you are heading down that way.
I once stayed in very cute cabins in the redwoods on the ocean side of HWY 1 in Big Sur. Also, there is a "fire road" across from the state park that takes you down to the (lovely) beach there with the classic surf coming through a key-hole in the rocks. Don't know if either of these are still available but they'd be worth checking out if you are heading down that way.
Jul 1st, 2009, 07:41 PM
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The "very cute" cabins in the redwoods on the ocean side of the highway in Big Sur:
http://www.riversidecampground.com/Cabins.html
There's quite a price range so scroll down to see the variety.
These are the folks who told me how to get to the nearby beach with crashing surf.
http://www.riversidecampground.com/Cabins.html
There's quite a price range so scroll down to see the variety.
These are the folks who told me how to get to the nearby beach with crashing surf.
Jul 1st, 2009, 09:14 PM
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The Point Reyes HI hostel is nowheres "right on the cliffs over beach in the park". It is quite inland but has hiking trails leading every which way from the hostel.
http://www.norcalhostels.org/reyes
Click on directions and then click on the google map.
Are you remembering a different hostel, perhaps?
http://www.norcalhostels.org/reyes
Click on directions and then click on the google map.
Are you remembering a different hostel, perhaps?
Jul 2nd, 2009, 04:53 AM
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Easytraveler: Maybe they moved the hostel. . . like I said it was in my younger days (which would be over 20 years ago). Too bad if they did, you could literally walk down to the beach from there. I still think the park is worth a trip.
Jul 2nd, 2009, 04:49 PM
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The hostel has been in the same location since the early 70's when I first started going to Pt. Reyes. I've never stayed there since I live nearby but I've hiked by it a number of times. It looks very nice. And you can walk down to the beach from there but it's a little over a mile away.
There is a hostel in Redwood National Park that is right next to the ocean. Maybe that's the one you stayed at.
There is a hostel in Redwood National Park that is right next to the ocean. Maybe that's the one you stayed at.
